Zachary Ries1, Chamnanni Rungprai1, Bethany Harpole1, Ong-Art Phruetthiphat1, Yubo Gao1, Andrew Pugely1, Phinit Phisitkul1. 1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, 01051 JPP, Iowa City, IA 52242. E-mail address for Z. Ries: Zachary-ries@uiowa.edu. E-mail address for C. Rungprai: Chamnanni-rungprai@uiowa.edu. E-mail address for B. Harpole: Bethany-harpole@uiowa.edu. E-mail address for O.-a. Phruetthiphat: Ongart-phr1@hotmail.com. E-mail address for Y. Gao: Yubo-gao@uiowa.edu. E-mail address for A. Pugely: Andrew-pugely@uiowa.edu. E-mail address for P. Phisitkul: Phinit-phisitkul@uiowa.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services targeted thirty-day readmissions as a quality-of-care measure. Hospitals can be penalized on unplanned readmissions. Given the frequency of amputation in diabetic patients and our changing health-care system, the purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and causes for unplanned thirty-day readmissions following primary lower-extremity amputation in diabetic patients. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of diabetes undergoing primary lower-extremity amputation between 2002 and 2013 were retrospectively identified in a single-center patient database. Chart review determined patient factors including comorbidities, hemoglobin A1c level, amputation level, and demographic characteristics. Patients were divided into groups with and without unplanned readmission within thirty days postoperatively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to compare cohorts and to identify variables associated with readmission. RESULTS: Overall, forty-six (10.5%) of 439 diabetic patients undergoing primary lower-extremity amputation had an unplanned thirty-day readmission. The top reason for readmission was a major surgical event requiring reoperation (37.0%), followed by medical events (28.3%) and minor surgical events (28.3%). In the univariate analysis, discharge on antibiotics (p = 0.002), smoking (p = 0.003), chronic kidney disease (p = 0.002), peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.002), and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (p = 0.001) were each associated with readmission. In the multivariate analysis, diagnosis of gangrene (odds ratio [OR], 2.95 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.37 to 6.35]), discharge on antibiotics (OR, 4.48 [95% CI, 1.71 to 11.74]), smoking (OR, 3.22 [95% CI, 1.40 to 7.36]), chronic kidney disease (OR, 2.82 [95% CI, 1.30 to 6.15]), and peripheral vascular disease (OR, 2.47 [95% CI, 1.08 to 5.67]) were independently associated with readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Thirty-day readmission rates following primary lower-extremity amputation in patients with diabetes were high at >10%. Both medical and surgical complications, many of which were unavoidable, contributed to readmission. Quality-reporting metrics should include these risk factors to avoid undeservedly penalizing surgeons and hospitals caring for this patient population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
BACKGROUND: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services targeted thirty-day readmissions as a quality-of-care measure. Hospitals can be penalized on unplanned readmissions. Given the frequency of amputation in diabeticpatients and our changing health-care system, the purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and causes for unplanned thirty-day readmissions following primary lower-extremity amputation in diabeticpatients. METHODS:Patients with a diagnosis of diabetes undergoing primary lower-extremity amputation between 2002 and 2013 were retrospectively identified in a single-center patient database. Chart review determined patient factors including comorbidities, hemoglobin A1c level, amputation level, and demographic characteristics. Patients were divided into groups with and without unplanned readmission within thirty days postoperatively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to compare cohorts and to identify variables associated with readmission. RESULTS: Overall, forty-six (10.5%) of 439 diabeticpatients undergoing primary lower-extremity amputation had an unplanned thirty-day readmission. The top reason for readmission was a major surgical event requiring reoperation (37.0%), followed by medical events (28.3%) and minor surgical events (28.3%). In the univariate analysis, discharge on antibiotics (p = 0.002), smoking (p = 0.003), chronic kidney disease (p = 0.002), peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.002), and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (p = 0.001) were each associated with readmission. In the multivariate analysis, diagnosis of gangrene (odds ratio [OR], 2.95 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.37 to 6.35]), discharge on antibiotics (OR, 4.48 [95% CI, 1.71 to 11.74]), smoking (OR, 3.22 [95% CI, 1.40 to 7.36]), chronic kidney disease (OR, 2.82 [95% CI, 1.30 to 6.15]), and peripheral vascular disease (OR, 2.47 [95% CI, 1.08 to 5.67]) were independently associated with readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Thirty-day readmission rates following primary lower-extremity amputation in patients with diabetes were high at >10%. Both medical and surgical complications, many of which were unavoidable, contributed to readmission. Quality-reporting metrics should include these risk factors to avoid undeservedly penalizing surgeons and hospitals caring for this patient population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Authors: Benedict Morath; Tanja Mayer; Alexander Francesco Josef Send; Torsten Hoppe-Tichy; Walter Emil Haefeli; Hanna Marita Seidling Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2017-06-14 Impact factor: 4.335
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